May 12, 2025
Editor’s note: This story has been updated with the reaction of Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov.
Germany gave Russia until the end of May 12 to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine, warning that failure to do so would trigger preparations for new sanctions, government spokesperson Stefan Kornelius said during a briefing, Tagesschau reported on May 12.
“The clock is ticking — we still have 12 hours until the end of this day,” Kornelius reportedly said, adding that Berlin is coordinating with European partners on additional sanctions.
The ultimatum follows Russia’s refusal of a 30-day unconditional ceasefire starting May 12, proposed by Ukraine and its allies last week when European leaders visited Kyiv.
The demand for the unconditional 30-day ceasefire was the main outcome of talks between Ukraine, France, the U.K., Germany, and Poland, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov reacted to the remarks, saying that “ultimatum language” in talks with Russia is “unacceptable.”
“This kind of ultimatum language is unacceptable for Russia. It’s not appropriate. You cannot talk to Russia in this language,” Peskov told a pool of Russian journalists on May 12.
Over the past 24 hours, Russian attacks injured at least 22 people in Ukraine. This includes at least seven people injured in drone attacks overnight on May 12, a date from which the 30-day unconditional truce should have started.
The Kremlin continues insisting on negotiations without an unconditional ceasefire. In a press conference in the early hours of May 11, Russian President Vladimir Putin invited Ukraine to resume talks, which, according to Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov, Russia wishes to be based on the terms of the 2022 Istanbul discussions and the “current situation on the battlefield.”
Zelensky announced his readiness to meet Putin in Turkey on May 15, reiterating Ukraine’s proposal for a complete and unconditional ceasefire starting May 12. The Kremlin has not responded to Zelensky’s proposal for a face-to-face meeting of the two leaders.
“This kind of ultimatum language is unacceptable for Russia. It’s not appropriate. You cannot talk to Russia in this language,” Peskov told a pool of Russian journalists on May 12.
They have and they will. What are you going to do about it Peskov? You’re not dealing with Krasnov now. No paintings of EU and UK leaders will be accepted.
The war criminals have been getting too used to have their feet massaged by the orange one.
“This kind of ultimatum language is unacceptable for Russia. It’s not appropriate. You cannot talk to Russia in this language,”
And yet this is exactly the sort of “language” the Moskali use on their neighbors. We will see who wins this duel at midnight. Then hopefully more countries will use this language. By the way, everyone on UAToday have been calling for this language for years.
Indeed, the pussyfooting around has been very sickening.
This is the kind of language that should be used when addressing war criminals. I hope that Taurus will be part of the answer to mafia land’s refusal to comply.
Zelensky needs to say, if Putler does not show up we will all go home because he obviously wants no ceasefire. No doubt putler wants to send the Kremlin chef or some other nobody like a Witkoff to negotiate, but Zelensky has to stay firm.
I agree. It must be putler, or no one at all.